Coupling.



Jul.. COBB.

COUPLING. APPLICATION FAILED SEPT. u, 1913.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

MwN

J. L. COBB.

COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.11. 191s.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

5 sHEETs-sHEET'z.

J. Ll COBB.

COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. II. I9IA3.

Patented Feb.,29, 1916'.

kvm@ w @w I I. I.. COBBI couPLmG. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I I. 1,9113-l5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patente@ 1feb.29,1916.V

JIA L. COBB.

COUPLING. APPucAnoN meu sEPT. 11.11913.

V Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

5 SHEETS-suur s.

' ,fren STATES PATENT' OFFICE.'

JOHNr 1.. COBB, or :nos ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, assieizoza 'ro AUTOMATICAin-Loon or ARIZONA.

rnnjmfnriis oournnas COMPANY, or Los ANGELES, crimroanm, A conronarronCQUPLING;

Gontinnation ot application Serial No. 672,005, led `January 1 2, 1191s. serial No. 789,240.

.To all whom t mayconcern:y I l Be it known that I, JOHN L. COBB, acitizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county ofLos Angeles,

- train pipe couplers adapted for coupling cuits, or the like, betweencars of a train;-

.and this invention conslsts 1n various 1'm' either fluid pressurepipes, electrical cirproyements to produce a coupler which is simple ofconstruction and operation, of long wearing qualities and certain ofaction.

My coupler is particularly adapted for the' coupling of train pipe andother fluid lpressure pipes and of electrical circuits between the carsof a train; and its mechanism is so arranged that, when the couplers are'in engagement, the trainpipe air pressure or other. fluid'` pressure,will hold the coupling elements together to` form an efficient joint. Iam aware of construction in which it has been proposed to use train pipepressure to hold coupling elements together; but my invention includesnot only improvementsto render tra-in ipe coupling more elicient, butalso to inc udethe' possibility of making electrical connections throughthe same coupler.

Besides numerous minor distinctions there are several fundamentaldistinctions of my present invention `which I wish to hereinparticularly emphasize.

My improved Vcoupler is formed of a air of duplicate coupling elements,each inc uding a frame with a flared guidemouth and a tapered guide tonue, the mouths 4and `tongues yof the opposing elements adapted tocooperate; and va jointforrning member,

or pressure carrying box with ports, .which is movably mounted upon theframe, and preferably pivoted thereon; and coperating means on thetongues and on the joint y:forming members adapted to move the jointforming members away from eachother as the tongues and mouths come intotheir interlocking positions, and adapted to press' the joint or'mingmembers toward each otherv at the end of said movement. When the jointforming members are pressed 1n- Wijrdly toward each other, thereis areaction pressure outwardly o f the tongues away Specification ofLetters, Patent Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

912. lThis unification,iled September 11,l n

from each other and the tonguesare thus` Apressed outwardly so thatnotches in their outer faces are pressed. tightly into engage`v mentwith yokes which yare carried on' the back ofthejoint forming members.In this manner, the coupling elements are interlocked by mechanicalaction, and the joint forming members are pressed together by tivefeature which l call attention.

`Another distinctive :featurev to rwhich I 'mechanical action; and thisis one distinc- I call attention is the use of' iiuid pressure actuatedmeanswhicli acts to press the ltongues. and the joint forming membersapart. from each other, acting to press the tongues outwardly andthejoint forming members inwardly so that the ljoint forming members arepressed tightl intoI engagement with .each other and t e tongues arepressed outwardly so as to tightly engage their notches with the yokescarried by the joint forming members. Preferably, this part of myapparatus takes the form of dilphragms mounted upon the 'joint foriningmembers and conimnnicating with the forming member presses outwardlyagainst the tongue of the opposing coupling ele-v ment.

Another fundamental matterfof distinc tion and-one whlch l consider mostimportant, is the manner in which the parts of my coupler are mountedand the manner of connections with the pipes .ofthe train.

I have said that ,thejoint forming member is pivoted on the frame memberof leach coupler element; I also pivotally 'support the frame on an axiscoincident with :the

laxis of the joint .forming member; and the pipes are connected'A to thejoint forming member bv universal joints (ball and socket joints)zwhichhave their centers of movement on the said axis.v This constructionmakes all "the parts swing about a single axis, 'fwhich'action at oncelnsures simplicity of movement and a -minimum of complica-A tions. 'When"the o'int forming member moves2 `it .swimY a out the pivots `of the en.the frame member and the movement of neither part can disarrange any ofthe other parts as all the relatively moving parts are connectedtogether along this one axis.

There are several other features of great practical importance, amongwhich l may enumerate, (l) the pivotal mounting of the 'sio of allsprings and all spring devices from the improved coupler, and (d) thegeneral practicability and accessibility of allthe parts, includingparticularly the provision for removal of the joint gaskets without thenecessity of uiicoupling a train.

With these general features explained, the advantages of various detailsof construction will be most readily apparent. j v

I have illustrated preferred forms of my device in the accompanyingdrawings, 1n

' which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved coupler in connectedposition attached to an ordinary car coupler and to the .bars'll of'`any*fici-diriary construction.

draw bars of such coupler. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation showingthe couplerin connected position with parts in section showing myimproved coupler alone. Fig. 3 is a section taken as indicated by line3-73 of Fig. 2, showing the couplingelements 1n complete interlockedposition. Fig. e 1 s a section similar to that of Fig. 3, showing thecoupling 'elements as they appear when moving into their j interlockingposition. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken as 1ndicated by line5--5 of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken as indicatedby line 6-6 of Fig. '4 and illustrating the means of withdrawal of thejoint gaskets. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sections showing theconstruction of the special valve on the train pipe line, such specialvalve being for the purpose of relieving the pressure which holds thecoupling elements together. Fig. 9 is a detail section showing thepreferred construction ci' the longitudinal slip joint in the ltrainbrake pipe. Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 4 showing theapplication of electrical connections in my coupler.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 may generallydesignate an ordinary car coupler, the interlockig heais`,e iyhliicliare mountedon draIug will be understood that the lrawpliars 11 andtheeoupier 10 are sin placed as to always effect `interlmlrin or f*thtcoupler elements within all possible variations of position includingrelative vertical displacement orI the two couplerheads; and it willalso be understood that my device is hung so that it will properlyinterlock under all conditions in which the car coupler will interlock.

In my 4improved form of coupler, the various fluid pressure pipes 20, 21and 22 are all hung from the draw bars 11, in suitable .vertical frames24, wherein there are sliders 25 which allow a' certain movementvertically of the pipes to accommodate any necessary vertical movementof the coupling elements. My couplingelements are hung upon verticalways or frames 26 so as t0 be allowed a certain limited verticalmovement.

and they are supported directly from the ear coupler heads in anypreferred manner, sucli as by having the ways 26 in U-shape,

so that the coupler elements may rest upon l ments, but also for anyvariation in the ex- ,y tent to which the cars must approach each` otherin order to be coupled together.

Each of my couplerelements includes aV frame designated generally by theletter A and a joint forming member designated generally by the letterB. This joint forming` member carries the ports and gaskets orelectrical contacts which co-engageto couple uid pressure or electricalcircuits between cars of a train. The frame of each element includes aflaring `mouth' 30 terminating rearwardly ina contracted throat 31, anda tongue 32; and respective guide tongues and guide mouths of opposingelements being adapted to cooperate with each other as is bestillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The

guide tongue of each element is adapted to enter the guide mouth of theother element;

and it will be noted that the guide mouths' are flared both laterallyand vertically and that the tongues 'are wedgeshaped in a verticalplanewith the general effect that'the ton ies will enter the mouthswithin wide. limits of divergence of the opposin elements from verticalalinement, an the wedge shape of the tongues will cause the raising ofthe lower element to the level upon `which the uppermost element may besupported. This vertical discrepancy of position may be due to the drawvhairs and coupler heads hanging slightly -hgher on one car than onanother, or may be due to unevenness of road bed; and Vin any case,

the guide tongues are sufciently wedgeshaped to aline the opposingelements .ver-

.tically as they come into their interlocking position.

Each of the frames A is mounted upon a suitable .vertical pivot formedlby hollow split trunnions having bearings in lates 41 which are adaptedtoslide vertica ly in the ways'26. The plates 41 have projecting ears orlugs 41 which confine them lto the guides; but the plates 4l t looselyin the guides as is best shown in Fig. 3, so that thel are splitlongitudinally, being held together y by their confinement in the plates41. 'The pins 45-prevent the plates 41 slipping ofi' the trunnions; andit is seen to be only necessary to remove the pins 45 when the plates 41may beremoved from the trunnions and the trunnions taken apart to allowthe removal ofthe pivots46 of the joint forming members B. The jointforming members B are mounted solely upon these pivots 46, concentricwith the pivots of the frames; and it will be noted in Figs. 3 and 4that the joint forming faces '5 0 of the members B are normally in theplane determined by the vertical axes of the pivots 46. (In Fig. 3 thespace between the joint forming `surfaces is exaggerated for clarity of`illustration.)

The joint forming members BA are ,j mounted upon their pivots ortrunnions 46 i' in the hollow trunnions 40 so that the members B areallowed a limited pivotal movement on the frame members A. These membersB are preferably provided with one or more duid pressure passages; inthe present case I have shown three fluid pressure passages orcompartments 55, 56 and 57, respectively for the signal pipe, the

ltrain brake pipe and the steam pipe, (or

I may use one or more of these passages for electric conductors). Iprovide an open space 57l between the steam and air compartment toinsulate the steam compartment fronithe'remainder of the member B andtolkeep the joint forming gaskets from deterioration by heat. Each ofthe pipes 20, v2l'and 22'connects through the medium of the ball and`socket joint 58 with its corresponding passage inthe member B: and thesepassages have ports 59, G0-and 61 leading through the wall of the memberB to the joint vforming face 50. thereof, (or, in case of electricalconnections, contact heads take the place of one or more of thesegaskets). The port 61 for lthe steam passage is provided with a suitablegasket 62 of the general design shown particularly in Fig. 5; while theports 59 and 60 are provided with suitable gaskets 63 which are carriedin removable slides 64 set in the face 50 of member B. The slides 64 areof any suitable shape, being preferably dvetailed into member B, so thatthey may be, removed by sliding upwardly without the necessity ofuncoupling the coupler elements. The steam passage 57 is provided with asmall condensation drainage valve 110 at yits lowest point. This yalveis preferably a simple cone valve mounted in. a. removable plug 111 iandnormally opened byaspring .112, when kthe steam pressure is released toallow the condensation to drain out. When the steam pressure is turnedon, the valve is immediately -forced. closed.

At this .point I wish to call particular attention to the pivoting ofthe coupler frame and the joint forming member and the universalconnection of the pipes with the joint iforming member concentricallywith said pivots. The drawings show the concentric pivoting of theframes andA joint forming members; my preferred construction of hollowtrunnions being herein described. And the drawings also show theuniversal joints with their centers on' the single. pivot axis. Thisconstruction provides for all the parts, one single movement aboutv acommon axis; and `the fact that Athis axis is common to all themovingparts On the back side 'of each member B, the

side opposite the joint face 50, I provide a diaphragm 70 shown best inFigs. 3, 4 .and 5. lThese diaphragms. are preferably constructed withdouble diaphragm'plates 71 and 72with a follower plate or disk 73between them. The whole diaphragm construction is mounted in a plug 74which is inserted in the outer wall of the member B,- so as to be easilyremovable'. My double diaphragm construction provides that no water ordust may reach the inner diaphragm plate 72, thus preservingj thediaphragm plate against deterioration which mighteventually causeleakageof the pressure from the compartment'. Itl will be seen that the outerdiaphragm plate 7]?"i's is exposed to air pressurein the passage 56.When air pressure is admitted to the coupier, the diaphragms are pressedoutwardly as shown in Fig. 3, and the outer plates 72 press against theinner face of the tongues 32, having a tendency to press the ton esoutwardly and to press the members lguin toward each other.

The tongues 32 are each provided with a central longitudinal rib 80having a notch or depression 81 therein, 4which notch is adapted toregister with a small projecting lip 83 on the yoke bar 84, which yokebar is carried on the back face of each member B, and spaced therefrom;so that the tongues may enter between the yokes and the back faces ofthe members B. As the coupling .elements come into their interlockingposition, the tongues 32 enter the flaring mouths 30 and then passthrough the throats 31 as .illustrated in Fig. 4; thus generally aliningthe coupling elements an bringing them into correct relative position toaccurately interlock. In the position illustrated in Fig. 4 ,the tonguesare just about to enter beneath the yokes 84; and it will be seen thatthe surfaces .80x of the lips 80 will engage the lips 83 of the yokes84; the tongues are thus thrown toward each other Aand the members B arethrownoutwardly away from each other. Throwing the members B outwardlyaway from each other places the gaskets 63 wherethey will not strikeA orrub over each other as the device is coming into final interlockingposition. As the elements reach their final positions, shown in Fig. 3,the inner sides of the endsof the tongue 32 ride up over inclinedsurfaces `the notches 81.

86, reaching ltheir finalpositions just as the notches 81 reach the lips83; with the effect that the members B are pushed inwardly' toward eachother, moving on their .pivots 46, and the tongues 32 are forcedoutwardly and the yokes 84 follow the members B inwardly so that thelips 83 are forced into It will be noted that the 1ips83 have beveledshoulders 83; and this is for the purpose of allowing the elements B tobe pulled apart should they be suhjected to any great pulling strain, aswhen a train breaks apart; while under all ordinary conditions, theelements are held together sufficiently tightly to make them one solidand rigid whole. are interlocked, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5,

lair pressure is admitted to the passages 56,

the diaphragme bulge outwardly and press against the inner faces of thetongues 32. This action presses the tongues tightly into engagement withthe yokesBl, pressing the yokes outwardly away from 9fach other andpressing the members B inwardly toward each other. Thishus the generalolfect of locking the elements tightly together und pressing the gasketstightly face'to face to llhen the elements` form fluid tight connectionbetween the coupling elements. By relieving the fluid ressure, theelements are easily separable rom each other; although, as hereinbetorestated, they may be pulled apart even when the pressure is on by asufiiciently great force. It will be understood that the J anney couplerprimarily holds my coupler together; the devices I herein'explain areintended merely to hold my coupler elements in interlocked positionagainst accidental displacement, such as by vibration, etc., and to holdthe gaskets in tight and proper engagement.` It is not intended that mycoupler elements should be so tightly locked together that, should theJanney coupler part, any considerable strain would be imparted upon thecoupler elements', the train pipes or the various supports. If the Janney coupler parts, my coupler will immediately pull apart. Thisprovision obviates all pos- `sibility of broken train pipe or electricalconnections. which would have to be repaired before the broken train.could be again coupled together.

In Fig. 7 I have shown in detail one ot the valves 90 which controlsthetrain pipe pressure linel 21. The other valves 91 which control thesignal pipe and the steam hoating pipe are of ordinary construction; butthe valve 90 is of special construction to relieve the pressure from thepassages ell and from the diaphragm 70 when the valves 90 are closed, soas tofacilitate .easy uncou-pling of the couplers. The valve 90 has anordinary body 92, but its' plug 93, in addition to the ordinary passage94 therethrough, is provided with a small bypass 95 which will registerwith the passage through the body 92 when the valve is turned to itsclosed position. This bypass 95 leads out to atmosphere through the plug93; with the effect that the pressure from the coupler f compartment 56will pass back through pipe 21 and through the bypass 95 to atmosphere.

Each of the pipes 20, 21 and 22 has a slip joint 100, and the slipjoints 100* on the air pipe 21 are constructed as is particularly` shownin Fig. 9 of the drawings, with pistons 101,`the pressure on which tendsto press the coupling elements forwardly toward euch other. tioncd, theCoupling elements are more or less loosely hung upon the ways 26; andthe effect of the slip joints 100L withtheir pistons is topress thecoupling elements forwardly.: thus, a certain amount of longitudinaldiscrepancy of position is provided for, the coupling elements properl\r acting ii' the Janney coupler heads should slightly var v in theirapproach to ouch other.

Fig. 1() of the drawings shows how my coupler muy he used in effectingelectrical connection between coupled .,c'al's. Preferablyin the upperpassage'or compartment Limbo-"z,

55, I place my electric conductors 150 which' lead to suitable insulatedyContactv heads 140 mounted in v that compartment. These heads may be ofany preferred design and may make any desired kind of contact; I haveshown a simple head mounted yon a stem 141 rand pressedforwardly by a.spring 14:2 There` may beany desired number of contactsl andcorresponding number of-cir cuits.,- When the joint forming members arepressed together the opposing contact heads are pressed together- Theaction of the coupler is the same as hereinbefore 'describedg-the onlypoint'of difference beingV `the substitution of electricalcircuits and.electrical contacts forv the fluid pipes and preferred form of yflaredmouth and forming a' guide tongue' adapted. toenter theiiared mouth ofthe other element, a joint formingv memberpivoted on the frame andAhaving a' jointnform- `ing sideface, a train pipe connected to the.

joint forming member bya ball"joint, a

slip jointin the train pipe, "therebeix'igv a passage leading from theball .jointthrough the joint forming member to said-,"face, and

pressure operated members -on `said joint forming members, said members.adapted vto press outwardly against :theD guide tongues and .press thesaid joint forming faces togather.`

. '3. In a train pipejcoupler, joint `forming heads connected `to theends ofthe train pipesby ball joints and ,having jointfformf mglsurfaces on their'sidesfslip` joints in the train pipes, frames'pivotally 'connected to said heads andadapted to meet side, face vtoside ,faceon a line-with the pipes, said' of the guideton L e e ttongues outward y and' press theljoint heads frames formingl guide.'ways hatingsuitable mouths'and guide tongues adapted to enter saidmouths, there being passages from i the pipesthrough said ,heads to/t'hejoint forming side.l faces of the joint heads,yokes` i carried by saidheads for engaging they outer f' sidesfof `the guide tongues,meansfjcarriedj .by said heads for engagngvthe inner vendet es so as 'to',pres'sthe guide ,toward each other, andL diaphragme extendingoutwardly fromfthe;Y joint' ,fornng headsand communicating with the'lpres 'wardly ngainst the .guide yto'ngu'esand 'press' the joint headstogether.

4. In a train pipe coupler, a coupler mem'- ber haring a yflaring mouthand a contracted throat, a parallel guide plate at one side in such aposition that it will enter the throat ofV an opposin coupler niember,`'a pivoted member Within the coupler member "having compartments thereinand ports 'leading therefrom laterally so that the'ports Y ofopjuising"couplers coincide with leach other, and means for bringing thecontact faces; ofthe pivoted `membersinto vintimate contact with eachother.4

5. Ina tralnpipe coupler, a coupler'member having aflaring mouth and avcontracted throat, a parallel guide -plate at one side in such: a"position that it will enter-the throatof an opposing couplermomberf,'the

ou'tside'iof tliegide plate hayin'g'b depresj sion, 'al pivoted 'memberwithin said coupli'n ymember having compartments therein an portsleading therefromI laterally so that the ports of 'opposing .couplersregisterwith ea'ch other, a bar on the outer'side-ofthel pivvoted memberprovided withr a tongue which is "adapted to enter the depression in theguide plate of an opposing lcknrpler member,-

.sure pori-3s, 'so that when the` pressure. `is

tur'ne j on the diaphrag'xns' will press. outof thepivoted mem rs ofopposing'c0117-,l

andmeuns vf'fr'brining the contact faces plers into Contact wit.eachother.

6. Ina train pipe coupler, a pair of cpu pling members, comprising:interlocking frames and joint' formin ymembersniova'bly mountedthereon,vl and uid pressure loperated means earried by'eacli jointforming member. and adapted to' press against the interlocking frameof'l the 'other coupling- .lneinber to press the joint forming'memberstogether.

loo

A'2,'. In a' train pipe coupleigfa"pairoff'couf i pling members,comprising inter-'locking frames and/joint forming 'members piv` otallylmounted thereon` and luidfpressure operated-means carried by eachjoint'f'orm# I ing' member Iand adapted to press" against the'vinterlocking 'frame' ofthe other coupling ress the joint form-ing"v mem#l j 8 In a trainlpipecoupler, a' pair of duplilocking. rames,ljointforming membersipiv- "otallyg mounted thereon an v' having'portsadapted' to register with each "other, and' cooperating meansl on 'f theframesA 'and f joint "catecoupling members, comprising" inter- "fomingmembers `forholcling the? members )apart as 'the' coupling"l memberscome `Linto'finf tx'arlockingl 'positlon and to allow"l thefi'nembers.

.j 'iconic together when in' interlockinglasfifiolify j f 9;Inatr'ampipe coupler, a' palrofdupln frames having 'gudeimouthsand catef coupling members, comprising nterguide tongues adapted to' enter themouths, pressure carrying boxes pivoted` oii the frames having portsadapted to co-registcr, coperatingmeans on the frames and boxes forholding the boites apart as the coupling members come into interlockingposition and to allow the boxes to come together when in interlockingposition, and Huid `pressure operating means on the boxes and eachpressing against the tongues of the other coupling member to press theboxes together.

l0. In a train pipe coupler, duplicate ele- `ments each comprising anouter pivotal ing contact faces which communicatewith the ports ofasimilar coupler, means for holding the contact faces from slidingcontact .vhilc the opposing members are moving j together, and meansoperating at the iinal longitudinal movement of the opposing couplerstobi-ing the contact faces together by a lateral movement.

412. In a train pipe coupler, an inner and an outer member pivotallymounted together the inner member having contact surfaces and pressurefluid conduits leading to said contact faces with communicating portscthrough saidcontact faces, the outer member` having a contact surface,normally on a vertical longitudinal linev with the contact surface ofthe inner member, the outer member having an open Haring mouth and aguide way to one side of the contact surface, and a guide plate to theother side of the contact surface, said guide plate being Wedge-shaped,so that it will enter the flaring mouth of the similar opposing couplerand vertically center the opposing ports of the inner member.

13. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate couling elements comprising.interlocking' rames, joint forming members movable thereon, and meanscarried by each frame and member of the duplicate element adapted tozo-engage to keep the saidmembers apart during the interlocking movementof the frames and to positively force the said members together at theend of said movenient by virtue of said movement.

I4. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate couplrng elements each comprisinga frame and a joint forming member movable thereon,

each frame including a guide mouth and a corresponding guide tongue,means on ech joint forming member to engage the outer face of the guidetongue of the other coupling element to hold the said members apartduring the interlocking movement of the elements, and means on 'eachjoint forming member to engage the inner face of the guide tongue toforce said members together at the end of said movement.

15. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements each comprisinga frame and a joint forming member movable thereon, each frame includinga guide mouth and a corresponding guide tongue, a yoke on each jointforming box, the guide tongue of the opposing coupling element adaptedto pass between the yoke and the said member, there being a notch in theouter :tace of each tongue adapted to receive the corresponding yoke,and an inclined surface on the face of each joint forming member adaptedto engage the corresponding tongue to press the member away from thetongue.`

16. In a coupler, a pair of .duplicate coupling elements each comprisinga frame havingl a guide mouth and a corresponding yguide tongue, a jointforming member pivoted on said frame, said member having a joint formingsurface adapted to be pressed together, a yoke carried by each member`spaced from its side opposite the joint forming face, the space betweenthe yoke and said side lying near the guide mouth of the correspondingframe so that when the guide tongues enter the guide mouths, the guideton ues enter said yolrc spaces, and inclined sur aces on said eide-s ofthe joint forming members over which the ends of the tongues are adaptedto ride, the tongues having notches adaptciil to register with theyolies when their ends ride over the said inclined surfaces.

17. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate'cow pling elements each comprisinga pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlock, a jointforming member -pivoted on an axis coincident with the airis of theframe pivot, and means for forcing said joint forming members-towardeach other when the frames are interlocked.

V 18. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements eachcomprising a pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlockwith each other, "a joint forming member pivotallysupported on the frameon an axis coincident with the frame axis, and universal j oint`connection with the joint forming member, said universal joint havingits center on said pivot axis of the frame and joint forming member.A ic 19;` In'acoupler, a pair of duplicate coupling lements each comprisinga :traine pivg'iall supported on a'vertical airis, vertically slida lesupporting means toi said axis, a

yiis

joint-, forming member pivotally supported on said frame on anaxiscoincident With the trame axis, said joint forming member hav 4ing fluidpassages therethrough vand having of movement on said axis of the frameand the joint forming member.

20. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements each comprisinga pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlock bymovement Vlongitudinally toward each other, a joint formingmemberpivoted on an axis coincident'witlithe axis of the frame pivot,each joint forming member having a joint forming face normally in theplane determinedby the' said axis and parallel to thelongitudinal*interlocking movelment of the frames, and means for forcingsaid joint forming rmembers tovvard each other when 4the frames areinterlocked. 21. In a train pipe coupler, a lpair .of duplicate couplingelements each comprising a frame pivotally supported upony a verticalaxis, said frames adapted to interlock by movement .toward each other inthe plane of their axes, a joint forming member pivoted on the frameconcentrically ivitli the framei` axis and khaving a joint formingsurface normally inthe plane of said axes, c'opera'tingf means on theframes andinembers to hold said members transversely apart duringv theirmovement toward each other, 4 and means to force said' memberstransversely together.

22. In a train' pipe couplena pair ofdu--'` plicate` coupling elementseach comprising a' frame-pivotally' supportedupon a vertical axis, saidframes adaptedlto interlock movement toward each other in the plane `oftheir axes, a joint forming member pivoted on the frame concentricallywith the ,frame axis and having a joint forming surface norI inally inthe plane of saidvaxes, there being iiuid passages through said lmemberand ports inits joint formiiigsurface, universal train pipel memberaving its cent'er ofmovement in said vertical axis, coperating meanson'the frames andmembers to hold whe said mem-y bers transversely apartduring their movement toward each other, and means to force said memberstransversely` together.

23` A train pipe coupling, comprising a" coupler vhead,`a pivoted airbox mountedj Y t "the upper" and lower ends of said pivot so thereon,connections fromvsaid air 'box to suitable source of pressure supply,land. means for forcing said air box laterallv` into engagement with asimilar box adapted to be operated-by means 'on' theA cooperating lcoupler. V f

connection with thefjoint forming4 24. A train pipe coupler, 'comprisinga pivoted air box mounted in said head and secured ,thereim said air boxbeing provided ivitli` l`a"plurality of chambers having two series ofports, pivotal connections from one of said" series of ports, connectingthe `chambersto suitable sourcesof fluid 'uiide V pressure, 'slidableconnections -finterposed iii 'Said' connections, inclosi-ng Walls insaid head tolimit the movement of said air box, and means to positivelyoperate said air box when coupled to insurea complete operable contantif t 25. gAtrain pipe coupling, comprising a hanger, head vmovablymounted therein provided with guiding" lugs having bores and [apliirality of 'Walls terminating in a Haring hood, and also forming aniiiclosure,

a' guide arm adapted' to enter the hood of an adjoining head, anapeitiired airbox mounted in said inclosiire and pivoted in saidbores,and'mans to force said box in 4 contact-.with an adjoining box when theapertures tilierein| register.

' 26-. train pipe* coupling, comprising a. hanger, ahead slidablymoiiiited'therein provided ,witli. a .plurality of apertiiredcliambeis,`aiid oppositely disposed guiding 'lugs' on the top andbottoni of saidvlhead, 'having side wallsjoonneeting the top and 27'; Inacoiipler, a pair of inter-engaging coupleiyelemeii'ts each carrying aframe, a vertical 'pivot for said frame, 4a movable joint ,formingmember mounted in` the frame, and moiii'itings for the upper and lower'Yends kof `the -vertical' pivot allowing yrelative horizontal movementsof the upper Aand lower ends Aof said pivot so v that the" 'frames mayadjiistthemselvesfto each other when interlocking. f 28. In a coupler, apair of inter-engaging coupler elements carrying a frame; a vertical,pivot for said 'fra-ine; a ymovable joint forming member mounted in thevframe on `Vsaid vertical pivot,l and mountings for the '12o Vupper andlower ends ofthe `vertical pivot allowingrelative horizontal movementsof that the frames may. 'adjust themselves to eac-h otlie'rfwheni'nterlocking'.v 29.In a coupler, a pair vof inter-engaging couplerelements :carrying anframe, a vertical pivot for said frame, a movablejoint forming member ymounted in the frame,

hanger, a head slidably mounted therein, ja fiuid` pressureineanscarried by each joint 13o forming member to press against the frame ofthe other member to press the joint orming members together, andmountings for the upper and ower ends of the Vertical pivot allowingrelative horizontal move ments of the upper and lower ends of said pivotso that the frames may adjust themselves to each other wheninterlocking.

30.V In a coupler, a pair of inter-engaging coupler elements eachembodying a frame, a vertical pivot for said yframe, 'a movable jointforming member mounted in the frame on said vertical pivot, train pipesconnected to said joint forming members by universal joints arrangedsubstantially on the axis of said ver-tica pivot, and mountings for'theupper and lower ends of the vertical pivot allowing relative horizontalmovements of the upper and lower ends of said pivot so that the framesmay adjust themselves to each other when interlocking.' l

31. In a coupler, a pair of inter-engaging coupler elements eachembodying a frame, a vertical pivot for said frame, a movable jointforming member mounted in the frame on said vertical pivot, train pipesconnected to said joint forming member by universal joints arrangedsubstantially on the axis of said vertical pivot, ylongitudinalexpansion joints in said pipes, and mountings for the per and lower endsof the vertical pivot u vallowing relative horizontal movements of theupper and lower ends of said pivot so that the frames may adjustthemselves to each other when interlocking.

Inra coupler, an element embodying a frame',"a joint forming memberpivoted thereto on ai transverse pivot having a lateral joint formingsurface, and means for forcing said member laterally about its pivotalmounting into engagement with a joint forming surface of anotherelement.

33.In a coupler, an element embodying a frame, a pivotal mounting forthe frame embodying transverse vertical pivot, a joint forming member inthe frame pivotally mounted on said pivot having a lateral verticaljoint forming surface, and means for forcing said member laterally aboutits pivotal mounting into engagement with a joint forming surface ofanother element.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my namethis 12th day of August, 1913.

JOHN L. COBB.

i Witnesses: JAMES. T. Bamrnmiw, ELwoon H. Baiuinmw.

